Jailbreak is a term used to describe the process of circumventing the software restrictions imposed by the manufacturer of a computing device to gain access to areas of the device not intended to be accessible. This technique is generally used by users to access features that otherwise would not be available on a closed system, such as installing third-party applications.
The term “jailbreaking” derives from the notion of unlocking a device from the restrictions imposed by the manufacturer. A “jailbreak” allows users to access the system’s inner workings and make changes to things that are usually protected by the device’s operating system. This can include the ability to install software, access restricted areas of the system, or make unsupported hardware modifications.
The most common type of jailbreak is for Apple devices, such as the iPhone and iPad. Apple’s policy of tightly controlling its iOS operating system has led to an increase in jailbreaking among its users. Additional options available with a jailbroken device include themes, access to emulators of classic consoles, and customizations not available with stock iOS operating systems.
Although some argue that jailbreaking may be a violation of the device’s intended use, it is not illegal in the U.S., though it does void the device’s warranty. Additionally, there are some risks to consider when attempting a jailbreak, such as accidental data corruption or malfunctions, or the possibility of malicious software infecting the device.
Despite the risks and potential legal implications, many users jailbreak their devices in order to gain access to features otherwise unavailable on their device. Jailbreaking remains an ever-changing process, with new ways being developed to gain access to the latest version of iOS, as well as new applications developed for liberated devices.
